1-First Step: Season and sear the roast Start by patting the beef chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season it generously on all sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. This simple seasoning is important because the beef is the star of the dish, and a good coat of salt and pepper helps every bite taste fuller and more balanced. Next, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, sear the roast on all sides until it has a deep brown crust. This usually takes a few minutes per side, and the browning adds a lot of flavor. If you are short on time, you can skip this step, but searing really does give the Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches a richer taste.

2-Second Step: Move everything into the slow cooker Transfer the seared roast to your slow cooker along with any pan juices left in the skillet. Those juices carry extra flavor, so do not leave them behind. Add the 2 packages of dry onion soup mix, 2 cups water, and 2 cans of beef broth over the top of the meat.

3-Third Step: Cook until the beef is tender Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 8 to 10 hours. The roast is ready when it is very tender and shreds easily with a fork. If you are using a frozen roast, plan for at least 2 extra hours of cooking time so it has enough time to thaw and cook through. Try not to open the lid too often during cooking. Keeping the heat steady helps the beef become soft and juicy. This is one of the best parts of making Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches because the slow cooker does the work while you go about your day.

4-Fourth Step: Shred the beef and keep the juices When the roast is tender, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the beef into bite-sized pieces. If you notice a layer of fat on the top of the cooking liquid, you can skim it off or use a fat separator for a cleaner au jus. Be sure to save the cooking liquid in the slow cooker. That savory broth becomes the dipping sauce, and it is one of the signature parts of a great French dip sandwich.

5-Final Step: Build and broil the sandwiches Split the crusty rolls and pile the shredded beef onto the bottom halves. Add 1 slice or more of Swiss or provolone cheese on top of each sandwich. Place the sandwiches under the broiler just long enough for the cheese to melt and get bubbly. Keep a close eye on them so the bread does not burn. Serve the sandwiches hot with the strained cooking juices on the side as au jus for dipping. This final step is what makes Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches so comforting and fun to eat. Every bite gets dipped into those rich juices for extra flavor.